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Though his seat remains safely Republican, Barton had drawn a little-known challenger for Texas' March primary and could have drawn more.

He was first elected to Congress in 1984. His retirement means seven of the state's 36 members of Congress aren't seeking re-election.

Pressure had intensified for Barton to quit. Republican Party chairman in Barton's home county of Tarrant joined many conservatives in calling for Barton to step down after the nude photo.

And following Canon's revelation, Republican members of the Texas' state Senate joined the call.

Barton, who is from Ennis, Texas, was the manager of the Republican team that was practicing for a charity congressional baseball game in June when a gunmen opened fire, gravely injuring House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.